One-legged table



y 1932- w. c. WETMORE I 1,859,320

ONE-LEGGED TABLE Filed July 19, 1928 Mzz m WQ/(Lr A ORNEY.

Patented May 24, 1932 entree sr one-Leeann TABLE Application filed July 19,

My invention relates to one-legged tables, suitable for use in playing card games, especially solitaire, writing, and other uses for which lap boards are usually employed.

The object is to provide a table of convenient size, having a single, extensible, and readily adjustable, folding leg, so constructed and arranged as to practically automatically remain in table-top supporting position, when the table is in use, without necessity for a definite fastening, to properly laterally brace the leg, and to arrange the upper leg structure or lateral brace as a convenient finger-grip for the easy carrying of the table when the leg is in folded position.

Further features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detail description of the accompanying drawings, in which i Fig. 1 is a side elevation, showing a table,

embodying the invention in one form, in use. 7

Fig. 2 is a similar View, explaining one mode of manipulating or adjusting the leg.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan with the leg folded Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in bottom plan, showing a somewhat modified brace and finger-grip construction.

Fig. 5 is a detail, in side elevation, enlarged.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the table top, showing an adjustable and detachable ledge or cleat, which may be provided when. desired.

The table-top 1 may be ofany suitable material or constructionusually wood. The

leg 2 is foldable and extensible. For the purpose of extension or adjustment, it com prises spaced side-bars 3 and an intermediate bar 4 slidably mounted between them. The upper ends of bars 3 are held in spaced relation by an interposed block 5. Slide bars 3 have channels 6 in their inner faces, and a pin '4' passing through the upper end of bar 4 has its ends located in the channels to guide that part of bar 4 slidably in relation to the outer bars. The lower ends of the side bars are connected and spaced by a metal fitting or clip 8, which also has a threaded aperture to receive a clamping screw 9 which passes through one of the side bars and has direct,

1928. Serial No. 233,871.

together constituting a lateral'brace to prevent lateral tilting of the leg or sidewise wabbling of the topupon the leg when the table is in use. As shown in Fig. 3, these brace blocks may-be of simple triangular form, and in that case their angular faces serve as finger-grips to enable the table to be 7 carried conveniently when the leg is in folded position. Otherwise, as shown in Fig. 4, tl1e braces 10a may have in their outward sides, finger-socket formations l1 affording more positive means for insertion of two fingers of one hand for the secure and easy carrying of the table. j A

The leg is foldably secured tothe top by a hinge 12, the upper end of the leg being arranged centrally and near one edge at the top, and the hinge being located at'the inward side of the leg to enable the leg to be folded fiat against the under surface of the top and to be located entirely within the area of the top when in collapsed condition, as sufiicientlyshown in Fig. 3.

To practically automatically retain the leg in proper extended or table supporting position as shown in Fig; 1, the upper face13 of the composite leg structure, (that is, the upper faces of thevarious parts 3, 5 and 10 or 10a), is beveled, or finished. at an acute angle to the leg axis, so that the leg naturally assumes a slightly angular or tilted position in relation to the top, that is tosay, the leg assumes an angular position relative to the under face of the top ofan angle greater than 90, whenthe beveled end of thevleg engages the under face of the top, the free end of the leg being positioned'be yond the contour of the sides of the top. Accordingly, when the table is in use the weight of the top and pressure applied to'it Q tend to retain the leg in its proper extended or top supporting position when the forward part of the top rests uponthe lap of the user, or upon chair arms, as shown in Fig.1.

As appears from the drawings, the adjustable leg is pivotally connected to the under face of the table top at the side opposite to the position of the user and to swing in a vertical plane transverse to the direction of length of the top, that is to say, to swing in a plane at right angles to the top and to the inner and outer edges of the top. Accordingly, when it is desired to place the table in position for use, the user grasps the table top in a natural position and tilts the opposite side of the top upwardly, to automatically swing the leg to its proper position. Upon the leg swinging to engage at its upper face 13 with the under face ofthe table top, asis illustrated in Fig.1, the leg is thereby located in rigid engagement with the table and such rigid engagement is not disturbed in the normal use of the table.

V matically swings the lower portion of the Should it be desired to adjust or readjust the leg, the simple movement of tilting the opposite side of table top upwardly autoleg, and therewith the clamping screw 9,

7 within convenient reach ofthe user for atalso facilitates themanual grasping of the table byits leg when setting up and storing away.

F ig. 2 shows how thewadjustment screw 9 may easily be manipulated to extend the leg to any desired length for'the support of the top at the proper elevation and angle.

the table being arranged to be supported when in use by supplemental support ining a top, a leg hingedly connected to the under surface of the top near the outer edge thereof and adapted to swing in a plane at right angles to the top and to the inner and outer edges of the top, the upper end of said leg being beveled to incline the leg at an angle greater than a right angle and to project the free end of the leg beyond the contour of the sides of the top when said beveled end of the legengages the surface of said top, said leg serving as the sole leg of the table, the table being arranged to be supported when in use by supplemental support in addition to said sole leg. I

In testimony whereof I have'signed this specification this 22nd day of May, 1928.

WILLARD C. WVETMORE.

A ledge or cleat 15 is desirably provided in some cases to retain objects or articles, such as cards, upon thetable. sists of a strip of suitable material, usually wood, of moderate thickness, extending across the table top and having at its ends clamping blocks 16 socketed to engage the edges of the top. One of these blocks is movable-and'isheld in clampin g'relation to the table top by a screw 17, so that the cleat may be moved to any desired position toward or away from the body of the user and then secured by manipulation of the screw; or if not wanted, the cleat may easily be removed from the table I claim:

1. A. table of the class described, comprising a top, a leg hingedly connected to the by loosening the screw;

under surface of the top near the outer edge thereof'and adapted to swing in a plane at right angles to the top and to the inner and outer edges of the top, the upper end of said leg being beveled to incline the leg at an angle greater than a right angle and to project the free end of the leg beyond the contour of the sides ofthe top when said beveled end of the leg engages the surface ofsaid top,-

said leg serving as-the sole legof the table,

This cleat con 

